PIP Assessment Next week, has anyone been successful??

[Eggcustard]

Hi everyone,

I have my PIP assessment next week and just wondered if anyone here has been successful in their claim?

I have had lots of health issues (endo, adhesions, dermoid cysts, 5 surgeries) that has left me with chronic pain in my pelvis where my cyst was on the right ovary and pain running down the front of my leg that spreads out to my hip and across my lower back. I have seen a pain consultant who says I have neuropathic genito-femoral nerve pain (I actually think there are more nerves involved than this and have also been told ilioinguinal and obturator). I am also waiting for an appointment with a rheumatologist for possible arthritis as I have joint pain too.

All of this makes it difficult to walk and I take pain meds daily (tramadol and solpadol and amitriptyline).

I have looked at the descriptors for PIP an it seems that it all depends how far they believe I can walk (20,50 or 200 metres). I am in pain without moving in the morning and walking worsens that pain so I think I satisfy the criteria that I couldn't repeatedly walk without causing severe pain and fatigue.

I am basically at home most of the time unless my partner drives at the weekend and then I maybe walk a little (200 metres) but before sitting down but I couldnt do this everyday (or more than 50% of the time). I tend to use taxis or have lifts. I can't even take my daughter to school, someone does it for me and I have an electric bike to take her on days if I feel up to it.

Do pain meds count as an "aid" when walking? Could they say "well you could use your bike to go more than 200m so you don't qualify"!!

Is anyone here similar to me? Does anyone know anyone who has succeeded in a claim?

I know all I can do is tell the truth and hope they believe me but it would be good to here if there are any positive stories

Thanks.

[Hidden]

Hi ii haven't tried for it but I believe you need 8 points to get even the standard mobility component which means if you can ho more than 50 metres you domt qualify .Seems rather severe to me 200 metres would seem more acceptable good luck sure someone with experience will be alomg soon x

[Eggcustard in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for the reply

[Hidden]

May I ask how long you wanted till you got your assessment ?

[Eggcustard in reply to Hidden]

Hi, I applied in December so it's been a while!

[rowantree]

I'm waiting for PIP assessment too. Been waiting since April. I too can ride a bike more than 200m, but can't walk more than 50m in pain. My worst pain is in my right ankle and heel. I can't put any weight on it so cycling is far less painful than walking. Every step is painful- so I can't walk more than 50m comfortably, or whatever their phrase is, but I do walk more than 50m sometimes, then regret it, and am in far worse pain for the rest of the day, and the next day!

Good luck with your assessment. Let us know the result.

[Eggcustard in reply to rowantree]

Hi, sounds very similar. The bike I use is an electric one so it's easier and like you every step is painful.

[Hidden]

I think when you speak about how your pain affects your daily life you should only describe how it affects you on your worst days ,if 200 meters is on a good day dont mention it .It is not telling lies it is concentrating on the truth of the matter.hope all goes well

[georgie63]

Hi,

I too have my medical next week. I suffer with Chronic Pelvic Pain, I also suffer with depression and I have Lupus SLE.

Apparently they watch you from the moment you enter the building, even to how you open doors. I am dreading it, as I suffer with so much pain daily but I never know how to answer there questions.

How far is 200 metres ? I can't walk far I know that, but I think they are just trying to catch you out all the time.

Good luck with yours and tell us how you get on. Fingers crossed we both get on ok.

[Perfectpinklady55 in reply to georgie63]

I to have chronic pelvis pain it's absolutely horrible along with arthritis in both my knees ankles & neck , along with bladder syndrome . Depression & anxiety my pain does not seem to leave me , I to have to have an pip f to f just send the forms off

[jamessteven]

I WAITED FROM 9TH DEC 2013, YES DEC 2013 FOR MY PIP ASSESSMENT, GOT IT END OF JULY 2014, TOOK NEARLY 2 HOURS AND IT WAS FINE, ALL QUESTIONS SHE ASKED WERE THE EXACT SAME QUESTIONS FROM MY PIP APPLICATION. TOLD I WOULD HEAR IN 4 TO 6 WEEKS, SO JUST PASSED 4 WEEKS AND NOT HEARD YET

WORRYING AND SCARY I KNOW, BUT JUST BE HONEST

GOOD LUCK

[Eggcustard in reply to jamessteven]

Thanks for the replies everyone,

[Bananas5]

There are 2 components to PIP - care and mobility. I take ut you are referring to the mobility?

8 points scored will get you the standard rate, 15 the enhanced rate and the possibility of a motability car.

Be under no illusions. It is a stinker and the aim of this new disability payment is to cut 20% from DWP payments. Don't trust anything to hope or whether they believe you. They need proof you can't and not your say so..

If you have your conditions in writing from Pain Clinic or GP this will clarify your reasons for applying.

Remember the words...repeatedly and in a timely manner. With such pain as you describe it is impossible for you to do any walking of more than 20 metres oncee.

As to waiting to hear the results - this is taking anything up to 10 mpntyjs due to the back log. Yes it is back dated if successful.

So arm yourself with as much written ino as you can get and

Good Luck.

Pat x